Re-forming our immigration "reform"

Liz Lefebvre |Print |Share

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A year ago[1] near Tuscon, Arizona, six people were killed and 13—including Representative Gabrielle Giffords—injured at a shooting at a constituent meeting at a local Safeway grocery store. At the time of the shooting, Arizona was in a heated battle over immigration. Many hoped[2] that in the wake of the tragedy, our nation'would have adopted a more civil tone toward immigration.

Instead, Arizona's controversial legislation passed in 2010 requiring law enforcement to check the immigration status of anyone detained who they have reasonable suspicion to believe is in the country illegally has become a model for new laws in several other states. (Giffords, who represents a district that borders Mexico, has worked tirelessly on the issue of immigration[3], and she did not support [4]Arizona's landmark law, saying it would do nothing to secure our borders.)

[2]Though many elements of these laws, like in Arizona, have been blocked or are currently being challenged in courts, here’s a sampling of legislation that has been proposed by other states around the nation:

(We’ll have more coverage on this topic in our upcoming March issue – don’t miss it![8])

There are two main points in Catholic teaching on immigration policy[9]. First, we should welcome foreigners out of charity and out of respect for the human person. People have the right to immigrate, and nations—especially prosperous ones—should accommodate this right. Second, the church acknowledges that countries have the right to enforce their laws, and all people must respect this.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops accept the legitimate role of the U.S. government in intercepting unauthorized migrants who attempt to travel to the United States. The Bishops also believe that by increasing lawful means for migrants to enter, live, and work in the United States, law enforcement will be better able to focus upon those who truly threaten public safety: drug and human traffickers, smugglers, and would‐be terrorists. Any enforcement measures must be targeted, proportional, and humane.

Let's hope that as another year goes by, we'll be able to find a humane approach to immigration reform that respects both the rights of the government and the dignity of all humans.